Located at 18 Broad Street, the New York Stock Exchange is the largest and obviously most popular stock exchange in the world. In December 2013 its market capitalization, that is, the total value of its listed companies, was almost $17.5 trillion. In comparison, the market capitalization of the second largest stock exchange, NASDAQ, which is also in New York, was $6.01 trillion and that of the third largest, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, was $4.54 trillion. There are about 3000 companies that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange today.
When the stock exchange was founded in 1792 by 24 brokers it mainly traded in government securities and stock in the Bank of the United States. Throughout the 19th century the stock exchange changed locations almost as often as it exchanged securities. Finally in 1903 it moved into its current building, constructed by the architectural firm Trowbridge & Livingston in classical revival style.
The New York Stock Exchange is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:00pm, except on holidays, and provides brokers who sell or buy company stock to just about anyone who wants to buy or sell it. They work according to the open outcry method, shouting and using hand signals on the trade floor to communicate information about the stocks. Since 2007 NYSE stocks have also been traded online, making it easier for customers to realize the American dream.